Conservative Management of a Delayed Benign Gastrobronchial Fistula: A 20-Year Follow-up

We describe a case of gastrobronchial fistula (GBF) following a thoracoabdominal gunshot wound in a previously healthy young man. Despite initial surgery, the patient suffered recurrent hemoptysis, and a GBF was diagnosed 18 months after initial presentation. The patient was treated with oral proton pump inhibitors for a prolonged period with the resolution of the fistula. During a follow-up 20 years later, no recurrence of the fistula was noted. The importance of early diagnosis of such fistulae cannot be overstated. This report provides a testimony to the feasibility of the conservative approaches in managing delayed, benign, and post-traumatic GBF.